New deputy DA ready to ‘hit the ground running’

Deputy District Attorney Alexis Klein is the first female prosecutor in Plumas County in more than a decade. Photo by Dan McDonald

Dan McDonald

Managing Editor

8/20/2013

Alexis Klein is ready to get to work and make an impression in her new job. And her new boss couldn’t be happier.

“I really cannot convey how pleased I am to welcome Alexis to our office and our community,” Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister said.

Klein, who was hired earlier this month as a deputy district attorney, said she feels honored to have been selected from a strong group of qualified candidates.

“I’m grateful to Dave for giving me a chance,” said the 29-year-old Klein. “I’m ready to do my best work on behalf of the people of Plumas County.”

The Southern California native has compiled a solid resume since passing the bar exam in 2010.

Klein, a graduate of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, was working as an attorney law clerk for federal judge John Mendez in Sacramento before accepting the Plumas County job.

Her experience includes studying under Supreme Court Justice Kennedy, where she focused on the U.S. Constitution and international human rights standards.

Klein has done civil litigation and defense work. After law school she interned with the California Attorney General’s Office.

But it was her work on criminal cases for Judge Mendez that made Klein decide to be a prosecutor.

“I haven’t been a prosecutor before, so some of this is new to me,” Klein said. “But in my last job (for Mendez) I worked on all different types of cases — many of which I had never seen before. So I’m ready to hit the ground running.”

Klein said being able to work with, and learn from, Hollister was a major factor in her decision to come to Quincy. She said Plumas County’s district attorney has a “stellar” reputation in the legal community.

“I spoke to several mentors in making my decision,” Klein said. “And they all spoke very highly of Dave. Several people I know have worked with Dave in Alameda County.”

Klein, who is the first female prosecutor in Plumas County in more than a decade, joins Joel McComb as a deputy district attorney. McComb and Klein prosecute the misdemeanor cases.

While the three local prosecutors deal with a heavy caseload, Klein is used to putting in long hours. After graduating from USC, she worked 70 hours per week at several jobs to save money for law school. She worked as a scholastic tutor and also worked for AG Edwards, where she eventually helped execute stock transactions.

When she isn’t working, Klein said she’s usually reading, trail running, attending a farmer’s market, cooking or playing golf.

She also loves to travel abroad, “scraping together enough pennies” for a recent trip to Europe.

What she won’t be doing is watching television.

“I haven’t had a TV for a long time. I think mostly I’m a nerd,” she laughed. “I just love my work. It is really important to me.”

But she also loves sports. Despite her Southern California roots — she grew up in La Quinta — she has always been a Giants baseball and 49ers football fan.

And then there’s golf.

Klein is an accomplished player, with a handicap as low as 10 when she is playing regularly. She was a member of her high school golf team, and also a cheerleader.

“I definitely want to play more golf here,” she said. But she is just as happy being outside doing, well, anything.

“I’m very excited to explore Quincy and the surrounding area,” Klein said. “It is really beautiful up here.”

For now, Klein, who is the first member of her extended family to become an attorney, said she is anxious to get to work.

“I’m very excited,” she said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity here and to work with Dave and Joel. I feel lucky to have been selected for this job.”